Cavaliers' Impressive Shooting Performance

In a thrilling NBA matchup on December 5, the Cleveland Cavaliers showcased their marksmanship, rainning down a staggering 22 three-pointers in a decisive 126-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets, led by MVP Nikola Jokic.

Star Performers

Donovan Mitchell was the star of the night for the Cavaliers, pouring in 28 points, while Darius Garland contributed 24. Caris LeVert shone off the bench with 21 points, helping the Cavaliers improve their impressive home record to 13-1 and their overall record to a remarkable 20-3.

Three-Point Shooting vs Paint Dominance

The night was marked by Cleveland’s incredible shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 22 out of 48 attempts. In stark contrast, the Nuggets struggled to find their rhythm, connecting on only 3 of their 24 three-point attempts. However, Denver's strength came from their dominance in the paint, where they outscored Cleveland 76-40 during the first half.

Jokic's Triple-Double

Nikola Jokic, the Serbian superstar, notched his 139th career triple-double, scoring 27 points, collecting 20 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists, moving ahead of Magic Johnson in the all-time rankings for triple-doubles. While Jokic celebrated his personal achievement, he downplayed its significance, saying it's something to reflect on after retirement.

Nuggets' Struggles and Coach's Concerns

Despite Jokic's efforts to rally the team from an 18-point second-half deficit, the Cavaliers maintained composure. With under four minutes remaining, they responded to a Nuggets scoring spree by hitting critical three-pointers, ultimately securing the win. "It took everybody," Mitchell remarked, highlighting Jokic's impressive skill.

The Nuggets' head coach, Michael Malone, expressed concern for the team's overall direction after their drop to 11-9, emphasizing the need for improvement rather than focusing solely on Jokic's accolades. "I love Nikola, but I'm more concerned about my team right now," he said.

Other NBA Action

Meanwhile, in other NBA action, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks collected his 78th career triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a dominant 137-101 victory over the Washington Wizards, who are now suffering a franchise-record equaling 16-game losing streak.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, buoyed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 30 points, crushed the Toronto Raptors 129-92, while the Golden State Warriors snapped their five-game losing streak with a narrow 99-93 win over the Houston Rockets, led by Jonathan Kuminga who scored a career-high 33 points.

Looking Ahead

As the season heats up, the Cavaliers continue to assert themselves as serious contenders, while the Nuggets, Mavericks, and other teams scramble for positioning in the ever-competitive league. Buckle up, basketball fans — the race for playoff spots is just getting started!